Still, it’s pretty insulting that these folks are only using the “community website” as a ploy to get more business. Now, don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing bad about getting business as a side effect of a venture like this. The problem is when that is your primary motive.

For instance, if I talk about a book here, I’ll link to Amazon via my Associate ID. If you follow the link and purchase the book, I get a (very) small referral fee from them. But making money is not why I have this blog! And Lord willing, it never will! I hope someone wrings my neck if I ever stick a Google AdSense sidebar on here.

People are coming to learn that we can have community without advertising. The folks in industries like real estate and insurance sales may be some of the last to “get it,” though. They’re so used to the “what do I get out of it” mentality that they don’t seem to understand the concept of offering something to others with no strings attached.

Now, hopefully this isn’t descriptive of Mr. Ronald Annesley, Mr. Stephen MacDonald, Mrs. Kathleen F Beadell, or Mr. John E Kessler (who, BTW, bears a passing resemblance to John Piper). Still, you are known by the company you keep, and they seem to be keeping company with folks who only see you as a source of income. Here’s hoping they prove me wrong, (which is why I’m linking to their site at all).